Ex-soldier gets 12 years for killing wife

Former soldier Robert B. was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing his wife in Kaatsheuvel last year, the military court in Arnhem ruled on Monday. The Public Prosecutor had demanded 15 years in prison, AD reports.

Dollie Hanssen was found murdered in her home in Kaatsheuvel on March 16th, 2016. Robert B. called the police himself and immediately confessed to killing her. He hasn't been able to explain why he did so, repeatedly saying that he must have been out of his mind. "A short in his head. He doesn't understand it himself", his lawyer said in court.

Hanssen and B. had a difficult marriage and were getting ready for a divorce. The night before the murder B. discovered that Hanssen made a lot of debt and had a relationship with another man, according to AD. The next morning Hanssen was dead. The couple's three children, two boys and a girl, were unharmed. Local residents were shocked by what happened.

The Public Prosecutor argued that B. made preparations for the killing, which shows premeditation. B.'s lawyer argued manslaughter and asked for a lower sentence of eight years.